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Question: Why was Marc Antony's funeral speech more effective than Brutus' speech in the play 'Julius Caesar'?

And why is this of crucial importance in the play?

Answer: It's crucially important because Brutus had calmed the crowd and convinced them that Caesar needed to die for their own good (the good of Rome). Antony steps up, tells the crowd he comes to bury Caesar, not to praise him, then praises him. He says he wishes he was a good orator (like Brutus), then wows them. He tells them he hopes they will not riot, and then convinces them that Brutus and Cassius were traitorous murderers and they rip the town apart, forcing Brutus and Cassius to flee.

Looking at the two speeches, the most obvious difference is that Brutus speaks in prose, while Antony speaks in verse, traditionally a more powerful format. Brutus is a great orator and uses rhetoric to great advantage. One example is his use of Antithesis: "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. "

But look at how he starts, "Romans, countrymen,and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear." Not exactly a boffo beginning.

Now listen to Antony start, like he was pounding a gavel!
"Friends,Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;"
BAM! BAM BAM! BAM BAM BAM! and then a simple instruction.

Antony continues brilliantly. Listen again for his irony in the use of the words "honorable" and "ambitious". His use of rhetorical devices here is unsurpassed. Now go explore the speeches again for yourself.

Class activities in Taunton schools observe Foreign Language Week

For one week each year, foreign languages take center stage at Taunton High School, as the students celebrate National Foreign Language Week.

Marc Antony's speech on Julius Caesar's Funeral (AMULAC)